🎄Our office will be closed from 5pm, Tues 23 Dec & will reopen at 9am, Mon 5 Jan. Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, your mental health might be affected by the occasion. If you need support over the break, follow the link: https://bit.ly/3VxzI8h We wish you a restful Christmas & Happy New Year

Our Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Working Group, Regulation Panel and Ethics Committee have responded to HM Treasury reform on AML and counter-terrorism financing, and to the Legal Ombudsman on its business plan and budget. Read our press release and submissions➡️ https://bit.ly/4p62xY3

The Young Barristers’ Committee (YBC) is recruiting for new members to help us champion and support junior barristers. The deadline for applications is Monday 12 January 2026. Find out how to apply on our website ➡️ https://bit.ly/3w9fAlL

🏆And the winner of our essay competition is... Wasim Iqbal. Congratulations 🎉 Hear why Wasim chose the subject for his essay, how he feels to have won, and why you should enter next year. Wasim's essay is available to read on the Counsel magazine website: www.counselmagazine.co.uk/articles/bar...

🏆 Congratulations to Jessikah Inaba, this year's runner-up in our 'Law reform essay competition.' Jessikah's essay is available to read on our website: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-a-barrister/i-am-a-pupil-barrister/law-reform-essay-competition/winners.html

HHJ Christopher Kinch KC's new opinion piece argues that the government's argument on curtailing the right to jury trials falls short on evidence and analysis, ignoring practical answers that would do much more to 'restore trust' and 'prevent collapse'. Read on: https://bit.ly/3YBdS7u

Know someone making a real impact through pro bono? Nominations for the 2026 Bar Pro Bono Awards are open. Help recognise pro bono contributions across the Bar as Advocate marks 30 years of supporting access to justice. Deadline: 30 Jan 2026 Nominate: weareadvocate.org.uk/resources-fo...

🏆Congratulations to 4 of our 'Law reform essay competition' entrants. Jack Clayton, Dominic Goodall, Niccola Parkes, and Yousif Shami received a highly commended award in our competition this year. All of their essays are available to read on our website: www.barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-a-b...

Barbara Mills KC said: “I’ve had the privilege to serve & lead our esteemed profession this year ... I pass on the baton to Kirsty Brimelow KC & wish her all the best." Read more in Counsel magazine - www.counselmagazine.co.uk/articles/wha...

During the Christmas party season, we see a spike in harassment reports. If you see or experience harassment you can raise it in a number of ways: • Record it on Talk to Spot • Talk to a trusted person in your chambers or organisation • Report it to the police

Don't miss our event series next year. Each event will help you prepare for a thriving and sustainable career at the Bar. Find out more about each event and book your free place: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

This week the government is announcing its strategy to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) within the next decade. We have been calling for policy change and resources for the family justice system to help meet this aim and we hope to see this reflected in the strategy.

We're delighted to announce the appointment of Jim Morris CB DSO as our next Chief Executive, taking over from Malcolm Cree CBE who is retiring in March after 8 years at the head of our organisation. Read more: www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/bar...

Have you got questions about applying for pupillage? Earlier this week we hosted our popular webinar to answer your questions, and help you navigate the process. In case you missed it, or you want to rewatch it, the recording is available on our website: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

Our new report into family legal aid has revealed the stark impact that underfunding is having on barristers and the justice outcomes for their clients. Read the report ➡️ bit.ly/3KRsY5E Read the thread to see what family barristers told us about how the erosion of fees has affected them ⬇️

Our comprehensive anti-racist training is for all barristers, clerks and chambers staff. Our Race Panel designed the course to meet the requirements in the Bar Standards Board's (BSB) anti-racist strategy. Book your place: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

We have been awarded the ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification for our commitment to environmental sustainability in our operations. Head of facilities Andy Curtis talked through the process of how the team achieved the accreditation ➡️ https://bit.ly/3MqDdOY

Professor Cole suggests the legacy of the current administration depends on how we, the courts & civil society respond - do we step back or step forward? Cole suggests it is not possible to rely on just the courts, it also depends on citizens standing up & pushing back @davidcole-gtown.bsky.social

During the Christmas party season, we see a spike in harassment reports. If you see or experience harassment you can raise it in a number of ways: • Record it on Talk to Spot • Talk to a trusted person in your chambers or organisation • Report it to the police

Professor David Cole highlights the courts have stood up to the Trump administration. To date around 150 injunctions have been issued by federal courts. But the rule of law cannot depend only on courts - it depends on the rest of us and civil society. @davidcole-gtown.bsky.social

The 10KBI programme is designed to address the under-representation of Black talent across various sectors, through the provision of paid internships. Could your chambers provide high quality legal work experience in 2026? Find out more and complete the form to sign up: https://bit.ly/4iJg5ah

Prof David Cole at our international rule of law lecture tonight says Trump poses a threat to the rule of law in two critical ways - the invocation of state of emergency powers and the assault on civil society institutions. @davidcole-gtown.bsky.social

Chair of our International Committee Marion Smith KC welcomes colleagues to our annual international rule of law lecture and introduces our guest speaker Professor David Cole @davidcole-gtown.bsky.social at @innertemple.org.uk tonight.

Justice needs juries. Write to your MP to oppose the restriction of jury trials. Download the template ➡️ https://bit.ly/4pnfz4o #JusticeNeedsJuries #WriteToYourMP

Next Tuesday Chair of the Bar Council, Barbara Mills KC will join the APPG on Legal and Constitutional Affairs to discuss the government’s policies on tackling VAWG. This event is open for all members of the Bar to join online, with a Q&A towards the end of the session.

We fundamentally disagree with the government’s plan to restrict the deeply entrenched constitutional principle of a jury trial. We do not see how restricting jury trials will have an impact on the existing backlog. Read the full statement: https://bit.ly/446VkPP

Following the Harman report we know chambers are navigating what they can do to address some of the concerns laid out by the review. We’ve put together 7 steps you can take immediately to support this work in your chambers. Read our quick guide for chambers: www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/the...

If you're looking for updates, news, events, and more, all relevant to the employed Bar, subscribe to our employed Bar newsletter. It's sent quarterly and our next edition is out next week. Update your preferences in MyBar to receive the last edition of 2025: www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-campai...

As the year draws to a close, make sure you've booked your place for the last events and training courses. We have a few spaces left for our 'International rule of law lecture' delivered by Professor David Cole on Monday 8 December. Book your place: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

Welcome to the November wellbeing spotlight, focused on bringing you news, events, thoughts and support from across the Bar and further afield. Read ➡️ https://bit.ly/43WdBPO?

An Observer investigation reveals threats faced by immigration judges. “It is never acceptable to put people's safety, families, or homes at risk,” said Barbara Mills KC, chair of the Bar. Read on - observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

We've launched a new guide and policy template to help chambers promote fair access to work. Our latest earnings data at the self-employed Bar continues to show disparities between men and women and the gap is increasing. Use our resources to take action: www.barcouncilethics.co.uk/documents/fa...

Neuroscientist Sasha Ondobaka sits down with former barrister Camilla Wells to talk about neurobiology, why it matters for professionals in the legal sector and how to learn to identify the signs of trauma. Watch on the Bar Council website ➡️ bit.ly/4ihPX6p

In this blog, our policy analyst, Enehuwa Adagu, outlines recent case law on the use of AI by barristers and the changes that have been made to our AI guidance. Read ➡️ https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/staying-ethical-with-ai-at-the-bar.html

The Times editorial today argues that we have "rightly argued that there are great inefficiencies in the system that need to be tackled" and acknowledges years of underfunding, adding: "Providing more monies so courts can sit longer is a must." Read the full article: www.thetimes.com/comment/the-...

We have updated our guidance on the use of ChatGPT, and other generative artificial intelligence (AI) large language model systems (LLMs), following recent case law at the High Court and the fast-paced development of the technology. Read the guidance ➡️ https://bit.ly/4ijAv9E

Our 'Chambers professionals update' is full of guides, events, and updates relevant to your role as a clerk, head of chambers and other chambers staff, so you can best support your chambers. Our next newsletter is out next week. Subscribe today: www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-campai...

Pupils and young barristers - join us for a series of events to ensure you have everything you need in your first few years at the Bar. We'll explore key aspects of life at the Bar to give you the confidence to build a successful practice. Book your place: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

Subscribe to our international newsletter to hear all about our work overseas. We share news, updates and events for you to get involved in to help develop your practice at home and abroad. Next edition out next week: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-campaigns/newsletters/international.html

What do we actually mean when we say “trauma”? How does it relate to the everyday pressures of legal life? Watch our latest trauma-informed practice video on our website - lnkd.in/eCJJCCfk To find out more, book our new trauma-informed online training taking place in the new year.

Maximise your chance of success with our 'Making the most of your Pupillage Gateway applications' webinar on taking place on Tuesday 9 December. Book your place: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-events/calendar/making-the-most-pupillage-gateway-app-dec-2025.html

Good morning from the final #BarCouncil meeting of 2025 - we'll have updates from our Chair Barbara Mills KC, the new @barstandardsboard.bsky.social Chair Prof Chris Bones, a number of our committees and the Bar Human Rights Committee. Follow along for updates...

LawCare's Chief Executive Elizabeth Rimmer has considered both LawCare's latest research and our 'Wellbeing at the Bar Report 2025 side by side. She says the message is clear: it’s time for collective, sustained action to build a healthier legal culture. Read her blog ➡️ https://bit.ly/4410mNE

Thank you to all those who joined us for this evening’s Chair’s event. Barbara Mills KC shared updates on the latest Wellbeing at the Bar report and discussed the initiatives that have been piloted this year, including the Balint reflective practice pilots and trauma-informed practice training.

Young Barristers’ Committee (YBC) Chair Lachlan Stewart was part of this year’s Bar Council delegation to the International Bar Association (IBA) conference in Toronto. Read his blog on his highlights of this year's programme➡️ https://bit.ly/47U3kVp

Join our expert panel this Thursday for our 'Handling client complaints' seminar At the session you'll learn more about: -Why clients complain and the process for handling them -How to prevent complaints -Responding to subject access requests Book your place: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

The overall levels of wellbeing and job satisfaction of barristers continue to improve but the Chair of the Bar Council says there is still a lot of work to do. Read the full report ➡️ https://bit.ly/4ouuclL Read the press release ➡️ https://bit.ly/43nuSRB

The family court system plays a vital role in tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) so we're calling for investment in, and reform of, the family justice system. Read this excellent write up of our new policy paper in the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...

With Pro Bono Week 2025 drawing to a close, Advocate's Chief Executive Rebecca Wilkie wanted to share her highlights from the week, as well as a thank you to all barristers taking on pro bono work. Read Rebecca's blog ➡️ https://bit.ly/3LOBQsJ

This summer, we consulted chambers and the Inns to establish chambers' accessibility for mobility impaired people. Our findings are disappointing, highlighting work to do. In this new blog, Sam Mercer, our Head of Diversity and Inclusion, discusses our findings and recommendations.